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[exboyfil]

86. I frankly think it is a ridiculous

disincentive to go into engineering. I don't talk about it much because it would sound like whining (my daughter and I have her education covered). One of the original stated motivations was because engineers can earn more. That statement was quickly walked back. The justification is now that it costs more to educate engineers. I think if you figure in the outside money that engineering departments bring in, that is something of a specious argument as well. A 20% premium of tuition and fees sure can be felt. It has not impacted demand much though. Our engineering department is probably growing too fast. Still not very many women in mechanical engineering though. My daughter got $4,500/yr for the first year in merit aid. To put this in perspective she got one A- in high school (Honors Chemistry). She did get two A-s (one in a freshman and one in a sophomore/junior engineering class at the school she will be attending next year as freshman). She will have all of her math, physics, chemistry, English, social studies, and humanities done before she even hits the campus. She is active in orchestra and swept state journalism competitions. With all that she received less than half of her tuition in merit aid. It is really tough for kids these days.